In situ tests for seismic assessment of r.c. structures

In Italy a great part of the territory wasn’t classified as seismic up to 2003, so that lower intensity earthquakes caused important structural damages and loss of human life (as for Umbria-Marche Region Earthquake 1997 and Molise Earthquake 2002). Particularly relevant buildings (Monumental Buildings as San Francesco Basilica in Assisi in 1997, Public Buildings as San Giuliano Primary School in Molise in 2002) suffered an extreme earthquake fragility. For this reason new Codes were issued by National Government; in all these Codes seismic zoning was improved and existing buildings diagnosis is considered as a relevant topic. At same time a wide program of structural analysis and seismic assessment was financed by Local and National Governments. On the basis of these new seismic Codes, in the Abruzzo Region, in Eastern Central part of Italy, four recently built sport domes (Chieti, Lanciano, Ortona, Vasto) were analyzed in order to evaluate their seismic behavior. All of these buildings have been designed without any seismic provision. A wide program of in situ and laboratory tests was carried out regarding RC elements of these buildings. In particular the actual concrete strength is detected by means of combined non-destructive methods (Rebound index, ultrasonic velocity). Some concrete cores were drilled out for destructive laboratory tests in order to determine both compressive characteristics (strength and elastic modulus) and to validate in-situ non destructive tests. Some literature proposals are discussed for test data evaluation. Proposals for structural engineer involved in such activities are carried out.